Lessons in Love

by Victoria Sinclair

  They were quiet as they entered the bedroom, Emily fervently glad that her brother’s and sister’s rooms were at the other end of the house.

  The first time Nicholas took her, it was fast, furious, filled with every ounce of passion and desire they shared for each other. But the next time was slow, languid and loving as they explored every nook and cranny of each other’s bodies, kissing and touching each delicious part with infinite care and love.

  Hours seemed to pass in minutes, and the night was almost over when Nicholas sighed deeply and told her it was time for him to leave. Although she wanted to wake up next to him, now was not the time. He had to leave before Veronica and Steven were up. In the morning she’d need all her faculties intact. If Nicholas were beside her in bed, that would be next to impossible.

  Chapter Seven

  ‘I know it’s spur of the moment, Emily, but I’ve got an extra ticket and it’s a great opportunity for you.’ Mark’s eyes twinkled and his tone was annoyingly persuasive. Emily frowned slightly.

  ‘I don’t know if it is such a good idea, Mark,’ she replied, but she knew she’d relent.

  The idea of attending a business conference on the Gold Coast seemed like a great opportunity for her. Mark had planned on taking Lisa, but her doctor had advised her against flying, and it was too far to drive for a single weekend away. But it’d do Emily good to get away for a couple of days, and she knew it. Perhaps being on the Gold Coast would get her mind off Nicholas, who she really didn’t need to think about right now. As long as her good friend and neighbour Evelyn would be able to babysit the kids, they’d be good to go.

  Three days later Emily was on the plane, flying high both literally and emotionally.

  ‘So, what should I expect?’ she asked Mark in an off-hand manner. Part of her excitement was tinged by the fear that she would find herself out of her league.

  ‘Expect a bunch of people who are all interested in out-performing and outclassing each other,’ Mark replied with a slightly sardonic laugh. Emily raised her eyebrows. ‘OK, it’s not that bad. Business is business though. A lot of contacts will be made – you know, I’ll rub your back you rub mine; there will be interesting – and some not-so-interesting-talks from a bunch of successful people; and there will be excellent food and wine.’

  ‘I see,’ replied Emily, who didn’t quite. But she didn’t regret coming.

  Events had been planned for the entire weekend, beginning Friday evening where there would be a welcome dinner for the attendees. Their flight arrived well before they had to be there, giving them time to shower and change before leaving for the convention centre.

  Mark had booked them into the Excelsior, a move that surprised Emily. It was a five star hotel, and she hated to think what one room would cost for two nights, let alone two!

  ‘Come now, Mark, admit it,’ Emily said as they entered the marble tiled foyer, ‘you’re just as competitive as any of the rest of those business people you told me about! Imagine checking us in here! It must have cost a small fortune.’ Mark grinned sheepishly.

  ‘OK, you’ve caught me. It always pays to look prosperous.’

  ‘I wish I could contribute something towards the cost of my room. I assume you only had one booked for Lisa and yourself?’

  ‘That’s true, I did. But I don’t expect you to pay a cent, Emily. You’ve always been a loyal and dedicated worker, and I reckon that after six years you deserve a treat on me.’

  They reached the reception desk, and found that Emily’s room was in a completely different part of the hotel to Mark’s.

  ‘I am sorry,’ the assistant manager assured them, ‘but there is no way we can change room designations now. It won’t be too inconvenient, I trust?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Mark said jovially. The man raised an eyebrow at him, and Emily got the nasty feeling that he suspected there was more to Mark and Emily’s relationship than business alone! Luckily she was no longer so sensitive about such assumptions, and as they walked towards the elevator, Emily smiled good-humouredly. Maybe she really was more of a woman of the world now than she’d been a few short months ago.

  Expecting one of the hotel’s simplest rooms, Emily was amazed by the size of her room – although, she decided, suite would be a better word for it. She whistled in amazement at its comfort and opulence. Her feet sank into the thick, luxurious cream carpet, and the bed that dominated the room was the largest she’d ever seen. There was even an ornate writing table with a bowl of complimentary fruit and bunch of fresh flowers. Surely someone had made a mistake somewhere! There was no way Mark could afford this.

  After showering and changing into a blue semi-formal dress that she’d splurged on for the occasion, Emily had her suspicions confirmed when she made her way to Mark’s room, and realised his own was much smaller.

  ‘Mark, honestly!’ she half scolded him. ‘You could have given me the smaller room. Mine’s a suite!’ Mark raised his eyebrows in surprise.

  ‘I had no idea. I certainly paid the same amount for each. Consider yourself lucky!’ He grinned at her, clearly giving the idea no more thought, but something preyed on Emily’s mind. Obviously it had nothing to do with Mark, and there was no reason the hotel would upgrade her without reason, so…

  ‘I think a mistake’s been made,’ she informed the man behind the reception desk. He raised an eyebrow at her. ‘I’ve been given a suite. My employer booked me one of the smaller rooms.’ The man grinned as he typed her details into the computer.

  ‘It isn’t a mistake, ma’am. You’ve been upgraded. Someone else has paid the extra, but I have no idea who.’ Emily frowned and shrugged, detecting a decidedly wicked twinkle in his eye.

  ‘Thanks anyway,’ she said, walking away. There was only one person she could think of who’d pull a stunt like that. But how could he be here? Quite easily, she realised with a sinking feeling in her stomach. And if he was, how would she manage to avoid him for the entire weekend? Her heart thudded strangely at the thought of seeing him, and she bit her lip hard. She couldn’t let Mark see how see was feeling.

  ‘Interesting and twice interesting,’ she muttered to herself as she walked over to the lounge area where Mark waited. She shrugged her shoulders, trying to keep her features carefully neutral. However much she didn’t want to see Nicholas, part of her was both happy and excited by the thought that he was here, and that they were far, far from Ballarat. Mark raised an eyebrow, and Emily pretended to be interested in something on the far side of the room, so he’d be unable to see the blush spreading across her cheeks.

  ‘I guess it’s your lucky weekend then, Em. Now let’s get out of here, the taxi’s waiting for us.’

  The weekend conference was to begin with a dinner at the Rowvale Convention Centre. Somehow she’d pictured a ‘convention centre’ as somewhere fairly, well, conventional, but it was anything but. From the marble laden foyer replete with fountain and fish pond, to the dining hall with its plush carpet, elegant silverware and chandeliers, it was one of the highest classes establishments she’d ever been in. Emily followed Mark to their assigned table, thinking this was a lifestyle she could get to enjoy. It was certainly a far cry from the circumstances in which she’d been raised.

  Six other men and women were already seated. Mark was acquainted with a couple of them, which made for a more comfortable beginning to the dinner, allowing Emily to relax slightly, even with the knowledge that Nicholas was no doubt somewhere close by.

  The entrée – a delicious looking prawn cocktail – was served in relatively short order, and along with the pleasant conversation around her, Emily found her attention diverted. The elderly gentleman to her left regaled her with humorous stories, and his wife was equally lovely. Between the pair of them and Mark, she felt quite at ease.

  At least, for a brief period, before the main course was served and the evening’s host welcomed their first speaker.

  Mouth suddenly dry, Emily looked up to see the man of her dreams standing on the pod
ium at the front of the room. Dressed in a black dinner suit, with a crisp white shirt, he was breathtaking, and instantaneously everything and everyone in the room vanished, and all she could see was Nicholas.

  ‘Welcome everyone!’ he began. ‘I’m honoured and delighted to have been selected to speak to you tonight.’ His words faded off. Emily was aware of nothing but the pounding of her heart and the weakening of her limbs. She couldn’t help but remember their last encounter, and was sure her feelings had to be visible for all the room to see, should they take their eyes off Nicholas and rest them on her, which seemed an unlikely prospect.

  Moments passed and Emily forced her gaze down to the plate before her, where she mechanically ate the beautifully presented food, not daring to let her eyes leave her meal, but afterward she wasn’t able to remember a single thing she ate. The only thing she was aware of were the powerful sensations that swept through her as she thought of the man she loved, so close and yet so far away.

  But not far enough. There was no doubt that he had something planned for that evening. Why else the luxurious suite with the King sized bed? No! That was not something she could allow herself to contemplate. She’d make sure she returned to her room before Nicholas had time to set foot inside the building, and she’d lock the door, answering to no one.

  This determination soothed her somewhat. She could almost believe that she’d be able to resist him. But was that what she really wanted?

  The remainder of the evening passed in a blur. She was certain the meal had been delicious – the other guests raved about it, but it may as well have been dry bread and water for all Emily had appreciated it.

  ‘A penny for your thoughts?’ Mark’s voice startled her out of her agonising reverie, and Emily started slightly, hoping he hadn’t noticed her lapse.

  ‘It was a lovely meal,’ she said inanely, refusing to quite meet his eyes.

  ‘And a stirring speaker?’ Mark’s tone was teasing and Emily winced slightly. Could he have guessed? She shook her head slowly.

  ‘Mark! You told him I’d be here, didn’t you?’ she accused suddenly, able to face him at last.

  ‘Guilty as charged,’ he admitted with a careless shrug and a grin.

  ‘Why?’ Her voice was came out almost a wail.

  Mark’s expression suddenly turned serious, and he stopped walking and turned to face her directly. ‘I’m not completely stupid, Emily. And you shouldn’t be, either. I’ve seen the way you look at each other. There’s an intensity there…and such suppressed emotion that I can’t help but notice. I’ve rarely seen a man look at a woman the way Nicholas looks at you. Even when there’s antagonism between the pair of you, there’s also something far more powerful. And you know it, Emily. You know it.’

  ‘You’re right,’ she confessed. ‘But you still shouldn’t have told him. He’s my lecturer and we can’t get involved now.’

  Mark nodded slowly. ‘A wise decision. But possible?’

  ‘Yes!’ she said firmly, nodding her head for emphasis. ‘It has to be. There’s simply no other way.’ And with that she turned and began walking towards the taxi rank, leaving Mark no choice but to follow.

  Emily arrived back at the hotel both tired and yet far too alert. Her body was exhausted from the long day, but her mind was buzzing and she knew sleep would be a long time in coming. She instantly regretted the two coffees she’d drunk – but hardly tasted – at the end of her meal. Not only did she need to be refreshed for the next day, but she needed to fall into blissful sleep to escape from the thoughts that consumed her mind.

  The luxurious suite she’d marvelled over upon arriving now seemed far, far too large, and somehow empty…and lonely. She entered the bathroom and looked longingly for a moment at the enormous spa bath that dominated the room, before resolutely filling the sink with water and concentrating on the task at hand.

  Moments later she was ensconced within the luxurious bed, her eyes closed, and her mind desperately trying to quiet itself. It almost seemed as if she’d succeed in getting to sleep when a knock at the door made her heart leap hard in her chest, and the sharp surge of adrenaline that coursed through her at that instant completed the transformation from almost asleep into wide awake.

  She bit hard on her lip and pulled the covers, and then a pillow over her head. She’d pretend to be asleep. Surely he’d go away if she didn’t respond?

  But the knock came again, and this time it was harder and more insistent. ‘Go away Nicholas!’ she silently prayed, for there was no one else it could be, not at this hour of the night.

  ‘Emily!’

  She scrunched up her face. I’m asleep, she intoned silently, fast asleep…

  ‘I know you’re awake!’ Damn!

  ‘All right…all right,’ she muttered, pulling the covers from her and stepping out of her bed, stumbling her way across the almost dark room to the door. She opened it.

  ‘Come in, Nicholas.’ The tone of her voice was resigned, and he looked at her searchingly.

  ‘Could we have some light?’ A half-smile flitted across his face.

  ‘Of course.’ She flicked on the switch, suddenly all too aware of the brief, almost transparent nightgown she was wearing. Nicholas, too, was obviously aware of it, as his eyes roamed slowly over her body. She instinctively moved her arms to cover herself, but he reached a hand forward and stopped her.

  ‘Don’t.’

  ‘Nicholas…’ He put up a finger to her lips.

  ‘Not another word. You know why I’m here, Emily. This was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. Why bother? Why fight it? We’re far from home.’

  ‘I know.’ She took a step backwards, away from him. But no matter how distantly she stood, she could feel the heat of his presence like a physical force. ‘But each time we’re together, it’s harder to let you go. I’d forced my mind into accepting that we’d have to wait, so this…’ She shook her head. He knew what she meant.

  ‘I know. I know.’ He moved towards her again, and cupped her chin in his hand, forcing her to face him, to look into his eyes. ‘It’s no easier for me. You’re like a drug. One so addictive that I can hardly force you out of my thoughts. And when you’re in my mind…as far as my body’s concerned, you may as well be there in person. The weeks haven’t distanced my feelings for you, if anything, they’ve strengthened them. I know what I want, and I know what I need, and right now, more than ever, that’s you.’

  At that instant, Emily knew she didn’t have the strength to turn him away. She wanted him far too much. It was more than a physical need – he seemed to satisfy so much of her and in so many ways.

  ‘I need you too,’ she confessed softly.

  With that, she was in his arms and his mouth was upon hers. Surrender was swift and complete. The fire of their passion had been ignited, and within moments they were entwined upon the huge bed.

  Emily was so in thrall she hardly heard the sound of Nicholas’s phone buzzing, but his response was instantaneous, and he pulled away from her swiftly, leaving her feeling alone and bereft, and more desperate for his touch than ever.

  ‘Nicholas?’ she questioned, noticing the frown on his features. He took a deep breath and ran a shaky hand through his tousled hair.

  ‘I have to go,’ he muttered.

  ‘What is it?’ Something like alarm filled her at the tone of his voice. He smiled reassuringly.

  ‘Nothing important. But I have to leave. I’ll see you in the morning?’ She nodded and he bent down to give her a swift kiss on the lips – one that did nothing at all to satiate the hunger within.

  Moments later she was alone again. She wanted to scream out loud with frustration but withheld herself. Instead, she flung her body on the bed and scrambled beneath the covers, before realising she’d have to get up to switch off the light.

  ‘Damn! Damn! And damn again!’ she muttered under her breath. What had made Nicholas pull away so suddenly? The memory of his caresses was still fresh in her mind, and she knew he’d be
en as under the spell of their passion as she herself had been.

  She turned off the light and returned to the bed heavy hearted. It was likely she’d get no sleep at all now!

  Nicholas swore softly as he padded along the corridor and back to his own suite. He opened the door to find his well and truly ex-fiancée waiting for him.

  ‘How on earth did you get in here?’ he demanded angrily, probably more so than the situation actually warranted. But God! He was on fire and there was nothing that could put it out but to make love to Emily, and that clearly wasn’t going to be an option tonight!

  ‘I persuaded the manager to give me a key.’ She pouted prettily – a sight that had once made his heart pound faster, but now simply irritated him beyond belief.

  ‘How? The staff here are completely professional. They’d never give out a key without a damn good reason!’

  ‘Fine. I told them I was your wife. Satisfied? They weren’t to know otherwise.’ Nicholas huffed out his breath and ran a hand through his tousled hair. Why now of all times?

  ‘I’ll be speaking to the manager about this!’ he snarled. ‘Now shoot. Tell me what’s up and then get out.’

  ‘I needed to see you, Nicholas. I’ve been having some problems.’ Nicholas sighed heavily and flung himself into one of the suite’s luxurious lounge chairs.

  ‘Tell me about it,’ he said wearily, knowing there would be a long night ahead of him. Once he’d told Monique that he’d always be there to help her, but unfortunately she’d taken him all too literally, and at the most inopportune times she’d taken him up on his offer.

  An hour and a half later he was ready to collapse. He’d hardly been able to concentrate on a word Monique had said. But he’d got the gist of it. Her current husband. Or, should that be, soon-to-be-ex husband, had found himself in some serious financial trouble. And more than that – legal trouble too, apparently. Unfortunately he’d tied Monique’s name to his business dealings and she was now risking not only bankruptcy but possible legal problems, as well.